I love to get reviews posted on Goodreads and Amazon on my books, because then I know people actually read them. I'm always eager to know what people actually thought about them.
The first bad review I got really hurt. In fact, I got several early on with Uncut Diamonds. Ouch, ouch and ouch. They don't bother me now. In fact, sometimes I like to just go and look at them again: "hated it." "losey book." They make me smile. I think it's funny that someone found my book so horrible and even funnier that they felt such strong enough emotions to go to the trouble to post their two-word negative response.
I could spend hours scanning reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. Not on my books. I don't have enough of them to take hours, minutes maybe. I just like to read reviews. Some are gushing wonders, others horrible slams-- all for the same book!
One thing it shows is that there a whole lot of readers out there and they don't all like the same thing. It also shows that the more people are reading a certain book, the more reviews it will get of both good and bad variety.
Writers love getting reviews, especially glowing, five-star reviews. One of the very best ways to love an author is to post a review!
Showing posts with label Goodreads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goodreads. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
In case you hadn't heard....Goodreads Announcement
Goodreads used to import their book information from Amazon. It was very convenient. When a book went up on Amazon.com or the Kindle Store, the cover image, description, publisher, etc showed up automatically on Goodreads.
No more. In fact, they are deleting books that were automatically imported from Amazon. Or you may find some of the detail missing, like the cover image, or book description.
If you're an author, check Goodreads to make sure your book is still listed. If it isn't, you or your publisher will need to plug in the information.
According to Goodreads:
"At Goodreads, we make it a priority to use book information from the most reliable and open data sources, because it helps us build the best experience for our members. To that end, we're making a major change.
"On January 30, Goodreads will no longer display book information that comes from Amazon.
"Amazon's data has been great for us for many years, but the terms that come with it have gotten more and more restrictive, and we were finally forced to come to the conclusion that moving to other datasources will be better for Goodreads and our members in so many ways that we had to do it. It may be a little painful, but our aim is to make it as seamless as possible for all our members.
"Amazon data that we will stop using includes data such as titles, author names, page counts, and publication dates. For the vast majority of book editions, we are currently importing this data from other sources. Once the imports are done, those few remaining editions for which we haven't found an alternative source of information will be removed from Goodreads.
"Member ratings, reviews, and bookshelves are safe, but your data may be moved to a different edition of the book. If we can't find a matching edition, then your review will be attached to a book with no title or author. But the good news is that there's a way you can help.
"Today, we are announcing new tools to help Goodreads Librarians source data for the books that need rescuing."
(Please go here to read the rest of the announcement, with instructions on how to add book information that has been deleted.)
Goodreads isn't being specific about just what these "terms" from Amazon are, which of course I find most interesting, and would like to know the whole story.
No more. In fact, they are deleting books that were automatically imported from Amazon. Or you may find some of the detail missing, like the cover image, or book description.
If you're an author, check Goodreads to make sure your book is still listed. If it isn't, you or your publisher will need to plug in the information.
According to Goodreads:
"At Goodreads, we make it a priority to use book information from the most reliable and open data sources, because it helps us build the best experience for our members. To that end, we're making a major change.
"On January 30, Goodreads will no longer display book information that comes from Amazon.
"Amazon's data has been great for us for many years, but the terms that come with it have gotten more and more restrictive, and we were finally forced to come to the conclusion that moving to other datasources will be better for Goodreads and our members in so many ways that we had to do it. It may be a little painful, but our aim is to make it as seamless as possible for all our members.
"Amazon data that we will stop using includes data such as titles, author names, page counts, and publication dates. For the vast majority of book editions, we are currently importing this data from other sources. Once the imports are done, those few remaining editions for which we haven't found an alternative source of information will be removed from Goodreads.
"Member ratings, reviews, and bookshelves are safe, but your data may be moved to a different edition of the book. If we can't find a matching edition, then your review will be attached to a book with no title or author. But the good news is that there's a way you can help.
"Today, we are announcing new tools to help Goodreads Librarians source data for the books that need rescuing."
(Please go here to read the rest of the announcement, with instructions on how to add book information that has been deleted.)
Goodreads isn't being specific about just what these "terms" from Amazon are, which of course I find most interesting, and would like to know the whole story.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Evaluating social media time
Pretty sure I'm being Officer Obvious when I say it's a struggle to get one's mind around social media efforts, to create the ideal balance between online activities and the actual writing of books.
Where do I hang out online and how effective is it really? I'll share my list and would love to get feedback about yours, too.
Twitter: It used to be fun but no more. It's become a mass of non-stop promotion and links. As a result, I'm spending much less time there and enjoying it even less. With nearly 2100 followers, I certainly don't want to abandon my Twitter account, but still....What's the point of it? I ask myself. Twitter time: Less.
Blogs: Coming Down the Mountain is where I connect with writers and readers. It's an important social outlet for me, kind of a combination book club, writer's group, and chat room (including the blogs I visit, not just hanging out here expecting everyone to come to me). My other blog, the Celery Tree blog, is for information and promotion of Celery Tree. Anyone interested can follow it for up to date info about Celerytree.com.
Blog time: About the same-- posting once a week or as needed on the Celery Tree blog and posting 2 or 3 times a week here, as the mood strikes.
Facebook: FB friends include writers, neighbors, family members, slight acquaintances, people I knew decades ago-- you know how it is on Facebook. Lately, FB has made changes that annoy me and make the site messy, cluttered and sometimes awkward to navigate.
Facebook time: About the same-- check it a couple times a week. It's not an important part of my life.
Website: I set it up last year as the place to find out about my books and me as an author. My url is karenjonesgowen.com, yay!.
Website time: I love it but don't hang out. It's for company only.
Google +: I do very little over there as it has nothing new to offer.
Google Plus time: Next to nothing.
Goodreads: I don't accept friend requests from people with hundreds of friends and no books listed. The purpose is to list books read and reviewed, not to amass friends to email and harass to buy your book. I tried joining some groups but couldn't see the point. Like the Kindle Forums and Twitter, it becomes desperate authors hawking their own work. I post reviews, keep track of books read and those I want to read.
And btw, does anyone know why my Goodreads icon has all but disappeared? Has this happened to anyone else? I'm about ready to kick its sorry butt to the curb if it doesn't show up and do its job on my sidebar.
Goodreads: Post reviews, ignore direct messages and group spam. Delete Goodreads book review icon if it doesn't show up soon for work.
Celerytree.com: Brand new and as it grows, I want to do more with the Forum and especially with reviewing member books.
Celerytree.com: Hoping for growth so I can hang out there more.
That's my list. What's yours?
Where do I hang out online and how effective is it really? I'll share my list and would love to get feedback about yours, too.
Twitter: It used to be fun but no more. It's become a mass of non-stop promotion and links. As a result, I'm spending much less time there and enjoying it even less. With nearly 2100 followers, I certainly don't want to abandon my Twitter account, but still....What's the point of it? I ask myself. Twitter time: Less.
Blogs: Coming Down the Mountain is where I connect with writers and readers. It's an important social outlet for me, kind of a combination book club, writer's group, and chat room (including the blogs I visit, not just hanging out here expecting everyone to come to me). My other blog, the Celery Tree blog, is for information and promotion of Celery Tree. Anyone interested can follow it for up to date info about Celerytree.com.
Blog time: About the same-- posting once a week or as needed on the Celery Tree blog and posting 2 or 3 times a week here, as the mood strikes.
Facebook: FB friends include writers, neighbors, family members, slight acquaintances, people I knew decades ago-- you know how it is on Facebook. Lately, FB has made changes that annoy me and make the site messy, cluttered and sometimes awkward to navigate.
Facebook time: About the same-- check it a couple times a week. It's not an important part of my life.
Website: I set it up last year as the place to find out about my books and me as an author. My url is karenjonesgowen.com, yay!.
Website time: I love it but don't hang out. It's for company only.
Google +: I do very little over there as it has nothing new to offer.
Google Plus time: Next to nothing.
Goodreads: I don't accept friend requests from people with hundreds of friends and no books listed. The purpose is to list books read and reviewed, not to amass friends to email and harass to buy your book. I tried joining some groups but couldn't see the point. Like the Kindle Forums and Twitter, it becomes desperate authors hawking their own work. I post reviews, keep track of books read and those I want to read.
And btw, does anyone know why my Goodreads icon has all but disappeared? Has this happened to anyone else? I'm about ready to kick its sorry butt to the curb if it doesn't show up and do its job on my sidebar.
Goodreads: Post reviews, ignore direct messages and group spam. Delete Goodreads book review icon if it doesn't show up soon for work.
Celerytree.com: Brand new and as it grows, I want to do more with the Forum and especially with reviewing member books.
Celerytree.com: Hoping for growth so I can hang out there more.
That's my list. What's yours?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Why I Like Bad Reviews
I didn't used to like them. A bad review would upset me for days, back when UNCUT DIAMONDS first came out. FARM GIRL was one of those books that most everyone loved, so I got spoiled. Then when my novel came out I figured it would be more of the same-- a huge lovefest of joy with readers thinking I was awesome and loving all my books and soon I'd be on Oprah, well you know the story. What writer hasn't followed the same train of thought as you complete your amazing work that you just know the world is waiting for?
Hey, I'm no different, I'll admit to my flights of fancy. But now I'm all grown up as a writer-- I have two books out after all LOL *pathetic, I know, I blame the procrastinating*-- and as I check Amazon and Goodreads reviews, I realize how glad I am for those horrible one-star reviews on UNCUT. Now that there's enough really good ones to balance them out, of course. If it was all 1 or 2-star reviews, I'd be in trouble.
But the bad ones give my work legitimacy. Someone checking out the reader reviews will see that I didn't stack the deck with friends and family writing fake reviews just to make me look good.
In fact, here's what I ask. If you read Farm Girl or Uncut Diamonds and didn't like it so much, will you please please please go to the Amazon site (link included) or Goodreads and give it an honest, not-so-much review?
Of course, a good review is much appreciated as well. UNCUT DIAMONDS is beginning to pick up on Kindle sales, and reviews can only help! If you go to the FARM GIRL Amazon site, however, don't buy it there, as WiDo is now running a special sale, available for $5.95 on the website.
So there you have it people. My take on why bad reviews can be good. If you give me a poor review, we can still be friends! Serious, really, I'm not just saying that. Ask Jessica Bell, she gave UNCUT an honest 3-star review which I think is just so cool.
Don't you get kind of suspicious when you go to a site and every review is a gusher? That's as bad as them all being 1 or 2-stars, imho. Because you're not sure that they are real. *Omigosh and I had planned on this being a short post. Aargh!*
Hey, I'm no different, I'll admit to my flights of fancy. But now I'm all grown up as a writer-- I have two books out after all LOL *pathetic, I know, I blame the procrastinating*-- and as I check Amazon and Goodreads reviews, I realize how glad I am for those horrible one-star reviews on UNCUT. Now that there's enough really good ones to balance them out, of course. If it was all 1 or 2-star reviews, I'd be in trouble.
But the bad ones give my work legitimacy. Someone checking out the reader reviews will see that I didn't stack the deck with friends and family writing fake reviews just to make me look good.
In fact, here's what I ask. If you read Farm Girl or Uncut Diamonds and didn't like it so much, will you please please please go to the Amazon site (link included) or Goodreads and give it an honest, not-so-much review?
Of course, a good review is much appreciated as well. UNCUT DIAMONDS is beginning to pick up on Kindle sales, and reviews can only help! If you go to the FARM GIRL Amazon site, however, don't buy it there, as WiDo is now running a special sale, available for $5.95 on the website.
So there you have it people. My take on why bad reviews can be good. If you give me a poor review, we can still be friends! Serious, really, I'm not just saying that. Ask Jessica Bell, she gave UNCUT an honest 3-star review which I think is just so cool.
Don't you get kind of suspicious when you go to a site and every review is a gusher? That's as bad as them all being 1 or 2-stars, imho. Because you're not sure that they are real. *Omigosh and I had planned on this being a short post. Aargh!*
Friday, February 11, 2011
Brilliant Writers are not always Brilliant
Following is my Goodreads review on South of Broad by Pat Conroy, which I gave 2 stars. Just so you know, I don't make a habit of advertising when I read a disappointing book, and never when it's a debut author or a friend. But sometimes we all need to be reminded that the bestsellers out there aren't necessarily the best books. And that rich and famous authors like Pat Conroy can put out a stinker same as the rest of us nameless newbies toiling away in our back bedrooms, wondering if we will ever get good enough for publication.
An interesting note about Goodreads reviews: Many of the reviews on this book had similar complaints as mine (and much more thorough and cleverly written)-- written by ordinary readers, not professional reviewers. In fact, the professionals gave South of Broad glowing reviews. Sometimes you wonder if these media people even read the books they review? Or do they just look at the author and say, "Oh yeah, he's good, here's my canned bit of praise for the back of the book"?
Have you ever read an acclaimed, bestselling book that got stellar reviews only to say "HUH?"
"After reading The Prince of Tides, my first and only Conroy novel, I had great hopes for this one. It disappointed me. There were some serious problems-- shallow character development, contrived scenes, many things alluded to but never explored like the brother's suicide and the evil stalker guy's drowning. How do you take a villain and solve the problem by having him drown off scene in a hurricane? So much better in The Prince of Tides where the heroic brother lets the tiger into the house and thus destroys the stalker/villain. My recommendation is to read the prologue and forget the rest. The prologue is pure brilliance, the rest of the book is a weak follow up."
An interesting note about Goodreads reviews: Many of the reviews on this book had similar complaints as mine (and much more thorough and cleverly written)-- written by ordinary readers, not professional reviewers. In fact, the professionals gave South of Broad glowing reviews. Sometimes you wonder if these media people even read the books they review? Or do they just look at the author and say, "Oh yeah, he's good, here's my canned bit of praise for the back of the book"?
Have you ever read an acclaimed, bestselling book that got stellar reviews only to say "HUH?"
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Love to Read? Join Goodreads!
I joined Goodreads a few years ago but didn't keep up my account. At the time it seemed like too much trouble, and I wasn't reading much then. (I go through phases, sometimes consuming a book a day and other times going all year without finishing a single one.)
Recently I hit a frantic reading pace, and when I got a Goodreads friend request from a new acquaintance, I said yes, started following her reviews and filled out my own long-neglected list. It was fun. Here was a place to record everything I read, all the books from ages past, and the ones I want to read.
So for anyone out there who isn't yet on Goodreads-- here's the link to my home page. I will happily be your first friend. Or if you're already a member, let's connect and share books and reviews.
If you are a published author who has not yet set up a Goodreads profile page, get busy! It's easy-- one more place to get your mug out there. AND--They now offer this really awesome widget, where visitors to your site can add your book with one click. After a lot of experimentation, I think I've got it. Check it out, yo.
The widgets to add my books to your list are under the twitter thingy on my sidebar. They're looking a bit lonely and neglected right now but hopefully will have many smiling faces showing up soon :) What I don't like about these widgets is that anyone who added a book previously on their Goodreads list, has to redo it here for it to show up. Fix that soon will ya Goodreads people? Because I like to see the pretty faces.
.
Goodreads is awesome! Books rock! We should read more books!
Recently I hit a frantic reading pace, and when I got a Goodreads friend request from a new acquaintance, I said yes, started following her reviews and filled out my own long-neglected list. It was fun. Here was a place to record everything I read, all the books from ages past, and the ones I want to read.
So for anyone out there who isn't yet on Goodreads-- here's the link to my home page. I will happily be your first friend. Or if you're already a member, let's connect and share books and reviews.
If you are a published author who has not yet set up a Goodreads profile page, get busy! It's easy-- one more place to get your mug out there. AND--They now offer this really awesome widget, where visitors to your site can add your book with one click. After a lot of experimentation, I think I've got it. Check it out, yo.
The widgets to add my books to your list are under the twitter thingy on my sidebar. They're looking a bit lonely and neglected right now but hopefully will have many smiling faces showing up soon :) What I don't like about these widgets is that anyone who added a book previously on their Goodreads list, has to redo it here for it to show up. Fix that soon will ya Goodreads people? Because I like to see the pretty faces.
.
Goodreads is awesome! Books rock! We should read more books!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Social Media a Must for the Aspiring Author!
It's funny because everywhere I'm reading about blogger/writers unplugging, desperate to find balance, and I'm posting today about more stuff you need to do if you want to get your name out there and develop a following prior to publication, as well as get attention for your book after.
(And prior means NOW, don't even wait until you have an agent or publisher. Don't wait until you finish your manuscript!) If you doubt my word look at what Elana Johnson has done to get a following eagerly waiting for her book to be published. And Talli Roland. Those two ladies rock the blogging world, and we love them and can't wait to buy their books!
Alright, I admit it, I finally joined Twitter. It's not the time suck I thought it would be. I can't tell yet how effective it is for the time spent since I've not experienced it long enough to make a judgment. But it's fun. And fast. I plan on doing more with it. If any of you have input on how well it works as a social media marketing tool, please share in your comments.
I love to see Goodreads icons on blogger/writer sidebars. It's truly one of the most underrated and underused social media sites available for authors. Because it is all about books. You can't say that about Twitter, Facebook or even blogs. IMHO every author and future author must have an account on Goodreads! And work it. Add books, friends and reviews. Don't just use it to plug yourself and your book. Or set up an account then ignore it. (The same principles apply everywhere in social media!)
Can I tell you how excited I was this week to see that several of my blogger buddies had added my books to their Goodreads to-read list? I wanted to turn cartwheels of joy, I felt so loved and supported. Talli's The Hating Game is also showing up everywhere on Goodreads to-read lists, and I'm turning cartwheels of joy for her, too!
If you have a book out, be sure to set up your author profile on Goodreads. It's quite easy to do. Here's mine if you want to check it out, and while you're there please click the friend request! I love to know what everyone's reading!
Another book site is Shelfari, lesser known than Goodreads but pretty much the same deal. I have a shelf of memoirs, etc. on my From the Shadows to the Page blog, since my platform there is about writing from life. So I created the Shelfari shelf specifically for those types of books to be displayed on that blog.
I recently joined Facebook to view family members photos. Other than that I don't plan on doing a lot with it, other than directing traffic to my blogs. Right now I'm all about reading, writing, publishing, marketing books and supporting the author community, not touching base with old friends from high school. Although that might be a pleasant diversion, at this time of my life I don't have time to spend on Facebook.
I've done nothing on You Tube except post the Farm Girl book trailer. But how many of you saw this the past few days on various blogs? If you think this guy was just having a moan about signing at Waldenbooks, you're mistaken. He's promoting himself and his books in an entertaining way that has probably gotten lots more attention than any book signing ever would. (I've never heard of him. I'm assuming he's really an author.)
We all have limited time and resources, but don't neglect what will help promote your career as a writer. And right now it is social media. There's lots to choose from. We don't have to do it all, but we've got to really work at what we choose.
Did I leave anything out? What is your preferred social media outlet?
(And prior means NOW, don't even wait until you have an agent or publisher. Don't wait until you finish your manuscript!) If you doubt my word look at what Elana Johnson has done to get a following eagerly waiting for her book to be published. And Talli Roland. Those two ladies rock the blogging world, and we love them and can't wait to buy their books!
Alright, I admit it, I finally joined Twitter. It's not the time suck I thought it would be. I can't tell yet how effective it is for the time spent since I've not experienced it long enough to make a judgment. But it's fun. And fast. I plan on doing more with it. If any of you have input on how well it works as a social media marketing tool, please share in your comments.
I love to see Goodreads icons on blogger/writer sidebars. It's truly one of the most underrated and underused social media sites available for authors. Because it is all about books. You can't say that about Twitter, Facebook or even blogs. IMHO every author and future author must have an account on Goodreads! And work it. Add books, friends and reviews. Don't just use it to plug yourself and your book. Or set up an account then ignore it. (The same principles apply everywhere in social media!)
Can I tell you how excited I was this week to see that several of my blogger buddies had added my books to their Goodreads to-read list? I wanted to turn cartwheels of joy, I felt so loved and supported. Talli's The Hating Game is also showing up everywhere on Goodreads to-read lists, and I'm turning cartwheels of joy for her, too!
If you have a book out, be sure to set up your author profile on Goodreads. It's quite easy to do. Here's mine if you want to check it out, and while you're there please click the friend request! I love to know what everyone's reading!
Another book site is Shelfari, lesser known than Goodreads but pretty much the same deal. I have a shelf of memoirs, etc. on my From the Shadows to the Page blog, since my platform there is about writing from life. So I created the Shelfari shelf specifically for those types of books to be displayed on that blog.
I recently joined Facebook to view family members photos. Other than that I don't plan on doing a lot with it, other than directing traffic to my blogs. Right now I'm all about reading, writing, publishing, marketing books and supporting the author community, not touching base with old friends from high school. Although that might be a pleasant diversion, at this time of my life I don't have time to spend on Facebook.
I've done nothing on You Tube except post the Farm Girl book trailer. But how many of you saw this the past few days on various blogs? If you think this guy was just having a moan about signing at Waldenbooks, you're mistaken. He's promoting himself and his books in an entertaining way that has probably gotten lots more attention than any book signing ever would. (I've never heard of him. I'm assuming he's really an author.)
We all have limited time and resources, but don't neglect what will help promote your career as a writer. And right now it is social media. There's lots to choose from. We don't have to do it all, but we've got to really work at what we choose.
Did I leave anything out? What is your preferred social media outlet?
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